EAST CENTRAL鈥擬elfort Youth Evolution is holding a virtual dance party for youth in the region through the web.
鈥淭he purpose of the event is just to create connection. We鈥檝e come to realize that keeping connected is something that we have to do. This situation has taught us how much we need each other,鈥� said Kathryn Carswell, youth coordinator with North East Outreach and Support Services (NEOSS)
鈥淲hat I鈥檝e been hearing is the kids have not even been snapchatting. There is just not the connection.鈥�
Melfort Youth Evolution is using 鈥淶oom鈥� to run the event. Zoom is an internet video conferencing service. With the NEOSS business account that Melfort Youth Evolution is using, up to 100 youth and adult supervisors can be present on Zoom at one time.
鈥淶oom is free, anybody can download it and you can log in and dance with us.鈥�
The event takes place on April 3 from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. It is open to any youth from about 12 years of age to 24. There is no cover charge.
Caswell said community youth should join because 鈥淲ho doesn鈥檛 like to dance?鈥�
鈥淢ost people like to dance, and you don鈥檛 have to have your picture,鈥� she said. 鈥淵ou can just watch everybody else dance, you can dress up, you can wear your fuzzy onesie, you can come to the dance however you want.鈥�
DJ Anchor has been booked for the music. Carswell said this is the first 鈥渧irtual dance party鈥� the DJ said he has ever experienced.
鈥淗e had to investigate to make sure he wasn鈥檛 breaking any copyright laws, video streaming laws or anything, but he said we鈥檙e good to go.鈥�
To receive the link to the party and register, call or text Carswell at 306-921-9966.
Virtual prizes can be won by participants, which includes gift vouchers that can be sent over the web.
